Utilities District plans to relocate office
Yes, what you’ve heard is true, after many decades at City Hall, the Presque Isle Utilities District is planning to move its main office to 541 Main Street in Presque Isle. That location is the former office of local attorney, Hal Stewart. Attorney Stewart closed his practice a few weeks ago after being appointed as a Superior Court Justice.
I wanted to take time to explain to our water and sewer customers and taxpayers just what went into this decision to relocate. And to be sure, there is a little remorse involved because the District office has been in City Hall for several generations.
The trustees have been in various stages of planning a new office, and when a building having all the criteria the trustees wanted became available, they decided to investigate a purchase. For about two years, the trustees have been examining existing vacant offices. None of them was exactly what was needed.
We require 1,500 square feet, a downtown location, ample parking, and easy access for customers. It was always thought that we would rent space, not purchase it, and that relocating to Main Street showed support for that part of the community.
The District rents approximately 800 square feet in City Hall. We have a critical lack of space, as well as having no dedicated conference room or public meeting space. There have been discussions over the years about allowing expansion for the District office, but no clear plan was ever developed between the city and utilities district.
Actually, over the years, analysis of the space in City Hall ended with the conclusion that the city should no longer be renting space to the District. Let’s not forget that City Hall was for sale for a while and that prompted the trustees to realize that they needed to search for a new location.
Only half of the Stewart building will be used by the District. The other half is divided into two separate professional offices. Both are currently leased and should provide income sufficient to pay the 20 year, 2.99 percent interest loan the District can secure for the purchase. The building is 24 years old and the trustees feel that it has been well maintained and should be a 100-year building. Also, there is ample, secure, dry storage for public records on site, which makes it easy to comply with state law for records retention.
The trustees are anxious to establish a new location and identity for our customer office. It will be easy to access, and there is plenty of public parking close to the building. They have scheduled a public hearing on this relocation effort for Wednesday, May 4th, at 6 p.m. The meeting is at the Turner Memorial Library and all are invited to attend. There will be time for public comment and the trustees will also conduct other regular monthly meeting business.
Frank Kearney Sr. is superintendent of the Presque Isle Utilities District. He can be reached at 762-5061 or via email at frank@piutilities.com.
